The Goal.com Winners & Losers in Germany v Curacao

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·14 giugno 2026

The Goal.com Winners & Losers in Germany v Curacao

Germany launched their World Cup campaign with a commanding 7–1 victory over debutants Curacao, scoring six unanswered goals after the Caribbean island nation briefly levelled at 1–1 through Livano Comenencia's historic strike. Kai Havertz scored twice while substitute Deniz Undav delivered a goal and two assists in a comprehensive rout. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Germany v Curacao.

Winners

Kai Havertz (Germany)

Kai Havertz was the only player to score twice in this World Cup opener, converting a penalty before half-time and adding a composed finish in the closing stages. His brace secured Germany's emphatic victory and established an early lead in the tournament scoring charts.

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Havertz showed composure from the penalty spot at 45+5 minutes, sending Eloy Room the wrong way with his left foot to extend Germany's lead to 3–1 before half-time. His movement troubled Curacao throughout, dropping deep to receive possession and drifting wide to create overloads across the front line.

His second goal at 88 minutes—a left-footed finish from Deniz Undav's assist—completed the scoring at 7–1 and capped a clinical individual display. On a night when Germany sought to respond after consecutive group-stage exits, Havertz delivered the decisive contributions that set the tone for their campaign.

Deniz Undav (Germany)

Deniz Undav made the most impactful substitute appearance of the match, contributing directly to three of Germany's final four goals after entering at 64 minutes. His combination of finishing and creative play in just 26 minutes demonstrated the squad depth Julian Nagelsmann will need in knockout rounds.

Undav created the fifth goal at 68 minutes with an inventive backheel assist inside the area for Nathaniel Brown to finish. He then scored himself at 78 minutes, converting Joshua Kimmich's cross from the right with a right-footed finish to make it 6–1.

The substitute completed his exceptional cameo by providing the assist for Kai Havertz's second goal at 88 minutes, sealing the 7–1 victory. One goal and two assists from the bench gives Germany a compelling option when seeking fresh impetus, and Undav's direct running immediately added urgency to an already dominant attack.

Loser

Leroy Sané (Germany)

Leroy Sané endured a frustrating evening in front of goal despite playing the full 90 minutes as teammates scored freely around him. His inability to convert clear chances meant he finished without a goal contribution on a night when six different Germany players found the net.

The clearest opportunity came at 63 minutes when Jonathan Tah's through ball released Sané one-on-one with goalkeeper Eloy Room. With excellent control, he shaped to shoot with his left foot but sent the ball wide of the goal, missing what should have been Germany's fifth.

Earlier attempts were blocked at 11 minutes by Riechedly Bazoer and at 33 minutes by Deveron Fonville. While Sané remained involved in Germany's attacking play throughout, his finishing and decision-making in promising positions fell short of the standard set by his teammates in a match where the opposition defence offered ample opportunities.